CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 13 Section Name: CONSENT CALENDAR Account Number: 10-2313 File ID: 26-12757 TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: City Clerk's Office
MEETING DATE: October 19, 2026
SUBJECT:
SEIU Library Merit and SEIU Library Per Diem — MOU Amendments RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution to amend the Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) between the City of San Mateo (“City”) and SEIU Library Merit and SEIU Per Diem (“SEIU-Library”) for a term through June 16, 2029, and to approve a supplemental budget appropriation from the General Fund balance in the amount of $185,000 to the fiscal year 2026-27 budget.
BACKGROUND:
SEIU-Library represents a total of 26 merit employees and 60 per diem employees. The MOU contract with this bargaining unit expired on June 21, 2026.
On March 26, 2026, the City initiated contract negotiations with SEIU-Library. Consistent with the direction provided by the City Council, negotiators for the City and the bargaining unit reached a total tentative agreement on October 6, 2026 during mediation. The membership has ratified the proposed changes to their MOU.
This agreement includes the following:
Merger Reopener If SEIU bargaining units merge after following the unit modification process pursuant to Personnel Rules and Regulations, the City would agree to have a re-opener of the MOU contract for SEIU Library.
Recognition SEIU Library Merit and Per Diem units shall be considered one unit. The rights and protections in the current Merit and Per Diem MOU will remain the same. The MOU will be combined integrating the Merit and Per Diem sections, distinguishing the differences between each unit.
Monday Holidays For holidays that fall on Monday, the Library shall be closed on the preceding Sunday. The City is committed to agendizing holiday per diem scheduling in the next Joint Labor Management Committee meeting following Council adoption of the MOU.
Bilingual Differential The City is committed to updating the citywide Bilingual Policy. All bargaining units will be invited to meet and confer within ten (10) months following Council adoption of the MOU.
General Membership The Union may submit a request for paid or unpaid release time for employees to participate in Union business/events that provide mutual benefit to both the Union and the City, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and City policies. Employees are prohibited from engaging in political activities while on duty or when on City premises, as stated in the Political Activities Policy.
CITY OF SAN MATEO
All release time requests must be submitted to the Human Resources Director and shall be subject to final approval by the City Manager.
Term Three (3) year term expiring June 16, 2029, opportunity to reopen in 2027 if SEIU bargaining units merge.
Compensation Increases
During the Term of this
Agreement
A total of 14.23%/14.02% over a 3-year term, as follows:
A. Cost of Living Adjustments
Effective Date COLA
Effective the first full pay period following Council
adoption of this agreement. 3%
June 20, 2027 2%
June 18, 2028 2%
B. Equity Adjustments
Effective the first full pay period following Council adoption of this agreement, to bring the classification up to market median, the following classifications will receive an equity adjustment as outlined below:
• Librarian II (Benchmark) – 7.23%
• Librarian I
• Literacy Program Coordinator
• Literacy Specialist
• Library Assistant II (Benchmark) – 7.06%
• Senior Library Assistant
• Library Assistant I
• Library Aid I
• Library Aid II
C. “Me Too” Clause
If during the term of this Memorandum of Understanding, SEIU Maintenance receives a higher COLA for Year 2 (Fiscal Year 27/28) or Year 3 (Fiscal Year 28/29), SEIU Library shall receive the same COLA percentage.
The equity adjustments for the Library Unit and the Maintenance Unit shall be calculated consistently. If the SEIU Maintenance Unit agreement calculates Market Median Total Compensation equity adjustments in a different manner, the City shall calculate the equity adjustments provided under this Agreement using the same formula ultimately applied to the SEIU Maintenance Unit.
The effective date of such adjustment shall be the effective date of the City Council adopted SEIU Maintenance Unit across the board increase. The total compensation survey market median shall be determined by the existing agreed upon survey methodology and using the 2026 Bryce Library Total Comp studies for Librarian II and Library Assistant II.
Any adjustments as a result of this clause shall not result in a pay reduction for any library employee(s).
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Librarian in Charge One (1) employee in the classification of Librarian who is designated to be “in-charge” shall receive an additional 5% of base pay for all hours worked performing “in-charge” duties during evening and weekend shifts when management is not present. The designation will be assigned on a scheduled rotation that addresses meal periods and ensures continuity.
Compensation Increases
During the Term of this
Agreement
Effective the first full pay period following Council adoption of this agreement, Literacy Specialists shall have their pay scale made equal to Librarian I and Literacy Coordinator pay scale will be made equal to Librarian II.
Differential and
Premium Pay
Update language and clarify that Temporary Upgrade Pay (TUP) and Work Out of Class (WOC) Pay must be a minimum of one (1) pay period. Update language to ensure compliance with CalPERS and Public Employees’ Retirement Law (PERL). Clarify the difference between TUP and WOC and re-organize the order of Premium Pays.
Other There are language changes to update, clarify, and/or comply with federal and state laws.
BUDGET IMPACT:
The 2026-27 adopted operating budget includes the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). A supplemental budget appropriation is required for the negotiated equity adjustments. Budget impact is estimated to be an increase of $185,000 to the General Fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This tentative agreement is not a project subject to CEQA, because it is a government fiscal activity which does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4).)
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
This staff report supports the Organizational Health and Good Governance initiative.
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – Proposed Resolution
Exhibit A – Tentative Agreements
STAFF CONTACT
Aracelia Esparza, Director of Human Resources
[email protected]
(650) 522-7276